Ambassador to Croatia

Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced Ms Susan Cox OAM as Australia's next Ambassador to Croatia. Ms Cox is expected to take up her appointment in December, replacing Ms Beverly Mercer.

Ms Cox is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She has previously served as Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia, Deputy High Commissioner in Vanuatu, and Australian Vice Consul in New Caledonia.

Departmental positions include Director of Passport Communication and Training, Director of the Post Security Taskforce and Director of the Consular Policy and Crisis Management Section.

Ms Cox holds a Bachelor of Arts (Administration) from the University of Canberra, and is currently completing an Executive Masters in Public Administration at the Australian New Zealand School of Government. She was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her role in the response to the 2002 Bali bombings.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Croatia. Australia and Croatia have extensive trade and tourism links, with Australia recently extending 'e-tourist' visas to Croatian citizens to encourage tourism and facilitate family reunions.

Two-way trade between Australia and Croatia is worth approximately A$42 million a year. Australian exports to Croatia amounted to A$17 million, while imports from Croatia totalled A$25 million. Principal imports from Croatia include machinery and parts, food and preserved meats, while Australia's principal export to Croatia is coal.